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I have to admit the only member I was even remotely aware of was Conor Oberst, who was featured in a RS piece some months ago. A brief mention of this venture was all I remember, other than his hiatus from making genius music.
So, I was intrigued when my wife bought this album from Sound Garden Records in Syracuse, NY before we attended the SSO concert that night. We listened before going into the symphony and we both thought it "just ok".
My wife brought it to work and played it in the vault for a couple of days and brought it home without a word. Later that week I took it out and asked her how it was received. She said that it just seemed to go a bit unnoticed and wasn't great background music (she works with cancer patients and plays music during the radiation treatments).
I started listening to it a couple of weeks ago, to and from work, and it has surely grown on me. One of the reviews I read stated that this effort seemed to lack cohesiveness and was a bit disjointed. Although it does exhibit these two results, I think it's to be expected from this so-called "supergroup", especially theme-wise (as was implied in the critique), song-to-song.
But, musically, these four sound like they have been together as a band for years and are at that point in a band's career where its time to compile a "Greatest Hits" record. I think the music is just that good and the musicianship is simply stellar. Each song has a distinct flavor all its own, which speaks to the talent of each member, and the depth of talent and richness of melody each can bring. The lyrics are a real treat as well and don't let the listener down.
Let me give my song by song run down:
1. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)--Deeply moving, spiritual song. Each member
sings their own refrain to God. Well done.
2. Say Please--Killer guitar. Beat is Beatlesque with strong influence of
Harrison.
3. Whole Lotta Losin'--Credence opening. Hint of Jeff Lynne vocals. Travelin
Wilbury vibe. This isn't a copy, though. Its original; the real thing.
4. Temazcal--"A 'Temazcal' is a traditional Native American Indian steam bath
that has been used for both healing and ritual ... The Temazcal serves as
a calming and therapeutic experience." The synths stand out on this one.
This is the most mystical song on the CD, both lyrically and emotionally.
5. The Right Place--The second most folksie song on the record. A great
little ditty.
6. Baby Boomer--The first most folksie song on the record. Can you say I was
influenced by Arlo Guthrie ladies and gentleman? Great lyrics/commentary,
too.
7. Man Named Truth--Great pickin'. The third most folksie song on the
record. The mandolin shines through. Great story tellin', too.
8. Goodway--The most "country" of them all. An interesting element to this
song is the "excerpt from an anonymous letter read immediately before being
burned" inserted at the end of the song, read quietly, just audible below
the melody.
9. Ahead of the Curve--Great country rock acoustic number.
10. Slow Down Jo--Great vocal harmonies on this one. Like its name, it slows
things down and brings vocals together, at times, mixed with a terrific
steel guitar.
11. Losin to Head--So Beatles. All Beatles. Again, this is not imitation that
feels wrong, but is original with distinct influential undertones. There is
a guitar in this song that sounds like John was brought into the album to
play guitar (no not George, I know).
12. Magic Marker--The first time you are reminded of the "How many licks does
it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop", and you think, "What are
they bringing that up for?" But, the nostalgia is brought along with a
melody and harmonizing done so well that, in the end, you feel yummy just
like the song. There is a guitar part in the center and it tastes oh-
so-sweet.
13. Map of the World--Good song. From the website: "James, who has lately been
producing solo material under the moniker Yim Yames, concurs: `It was very
peaceful and hilarious. No ego. No drama. Just a lot of song-trading and
ideas floating around and good times. We worked hard on the songs and the
ideas, but it never felt strenuous or rushed. There were several moments
during the Malibu sessions where we would all be in the room recording all
at once - on `Map of the World,' for example, or `Losin Yo Head' -- and
they were really magic. I think we all felt like we were in high school
again, picking up new instruments for the first time and just losing
ourselves to the moment and having fun.'"
14. The Sandman, The breakeman and Me--Classic train song. Well done.
15. His Master's Voice--If you don't have a spiritual side, maybe the subject
matter will be off-putting. For me, the subject matter combined with the
acoustic guitar and vocals make this one simply magical. probably my
favorite one on the record.
Buy it today.
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